It’s a universal law in the Playoffs. To win matches, then series, then a title, a team not only needs stars but also role players who step-up at the right time. Tonight in Boston saw a Big 4 that didn’t include Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, or DPOY Marcus Smart. Ladies and gentlemen, please applaud Al Horford, Grant Williams, Daniel Theis and Payton Pritchard.
If we had been told before the game that the Jay Brothers would “only” combine 41 points between them, including a Jayson Tatum at 5/16 shooting, we wouldn’t necessarily have been very confident about Boston’s chances in the Game. 2 against the Nets. But today, it is the Celtics who lead 2-0 in the series following an XXL collective work symbolized by four musketeers.
- Al Horford: 16 points (6/10 shooting, 3/6 from afar) in 32 minutes, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 6 fouls so much he gave
- Daniel Theis: 15 points (7/9 shooting) in 31 minutes, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 interception, 5 fouls
- Grant Williams : 17 points (4/4 shooting, 3/3 from distance, 6/6 throwing) in 32 minutes, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Payton Pritchard : 10 points (5/7 shooting) in 17 minutes, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
These guys are the unsung heroes of the evening. Because even if Jaylen Brown’s hot shot in the fourth quarter got the gap and Jayson Tatum then put the lid on, the Celtics simply wouldn’t be here without them. It was that kind of magical night where Al Horford managed to put out Kyrie Irving one-on-one in the dying minutes after delivering an all-around performance reminiscent of his best years with the Greens. The kind of magical evening where Daniel Theis does all those little things necessary to win a playoff game, until stuffing himself with Kevin Durant himself. The kind of magical evening where Grant Williams finished 100% in shooting including free throws while bringing his defensive solidity. The kind of magical night where Payton Pritchard helps make a difference in the fourth quarter (eight points in the final period, first to help turn up the deficit and then to ruin Brooklyn’s last hopes) while KD and Kyrie pass through. In short, the kind of evening quite simply… magical.
Al Horford is 36 years old and coming off a season of inactivity because the Thunder told him he wasn’t young enough to play professional basketball. Now he’s out-hustling every person on this court. Respect. pic.twitter.com/eGcJ3I9cCV
– TJ Horgan (@TJHorganTV) April 21, 2022
DANIEL THEIS DUNKS ON KD ????pic.twitter.com/hGHSuVrif3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 20, 2022
.@Grant2Will getting it done on both ends pic.twitter.com/77e1MiryS3
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 20, 2022
PAYTON PRITCHARD GIVES BOSTON THE LEAD ???? pic.twitter.com/SfPl68Kxoq
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 21, 2022
The Celtics today represent a group that is running at full speed collectively, on both sides of the field. We have already talked a lot about the enormous team effort made on the defensive plan to rot the life of Kevin Durant, but this Game 2 also made it possible to show the entire basketball world the resources that characterize the Boston team today. today. And this allows to snatch victories even when the Jay Brothers are generally in the hard offensively. This allows you to survive even being outplayed in the first half as was the case tonight, when Boston was up to 17 points behind at one point. It seems like a long time ago when the Celtics were a soulless team with a depth that seemed far too limited to go for big wins in the Playoffs. However, it was good during this 2021-22 season, and that’s what makes this version of the C’s so special. Rarely in the history of the NBA have we seen a formation show two such different faces in the space of a single campaign without drastic change during this one. And the Greens are now so much in an upward phase that one wonders where they will stop, especially since they are still waiting for a certain Robert Williams III. In any case, given the hyper-precious contributions of the role players this night, there’s enough to show great, very great ambitions.
Al Horford, Daniel Theis, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard. These guys greatly contributed to the XXL success harvested last night in Brooklyn, whether through their defensive contribution to limit Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, their offensive skill to participate in the C’s comeback, or both. Hats off gentlemen.
A real miracle for Boston to be led by only 10 points having proposed this first half.
Al Horford, Marcus Smart and Grant Williams responded.
Tatum and Brown need to wake up, the little run at the end of the half is promising.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 21, 2022
The luxury of having Daniel Theis who defends well on KD, boxing on the rebound and rushes on the counterattack to punish the decline of the Nets. Superb sequence from the German.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 21, 2022
So before all this late-game mess takes place: what an entry from Pritchard. He scored right, didn’t make a big mistake and Boston’s run is with him on the court. Payton hat.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 21, 2022
(DAMN HORFORD’S DEFENSE ON KYRIE)
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 21, 2022
Grant Williams tonight:
6/6 on free throws
4/4 shooting
3/3 three point17 points in 100/100/100 mdr
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 21, 2022
